Salernitana's Boulaye Dia (front) celebrates his goal during a Serie A football match between Napoli and Salernitana in Naples, Italy on April 30, 2023. (Str/Xinhua)
ROME, April 30 (Xinhua) -- Napoli should have secured their third Scudetto on Sunday, but the celebrations were ruined by Salernitana as the Partenopei were held to a 1-1 draw at the Stadio Diego Armando Maradona.
Napoli just needed a victory to clinch the title with six rounds to spare after Inter Milan claimed a 3-1 comeback win over second-placed Lazio in an earlier fixture.
The home side were dominant from the beginning, but they couldn't unlock Salernitana's well-organized defense until the 62nd minute when Giacomo Raspadori's corner found Mathias Olivera to steer in a header, which sent the stadium into chants and excitement.
However, the party was spoiled in the 84th minute when Boulaye Dia broke into the box to unleash a curler that went beyond an overstretched Alex Meret.
Despite the frustrating draw, the huge 18-point advantage on the table makes the title celebration just a matter of time for the Partenopei.
Elsewhere, Juventus continued their poor form as they tied with Bologna 1-1. Riccardo Orsolini broke the deadlock for Bologna through a penalty, while Juve's Arkadiusz Milik missed a spot-kick but atoned for his error by sweeping it in on the hour mark.
Also on Sunday, Fiorentina crushed Sampdoria 5-0, Sassuolo edged out Empoli 2-1, and Cremonese shared the spoils with Hellas Verona at 1-1. ■
Napoli's Hirving Lozano (L) vies with Salernitana's Norbert Gyomber during a Serie A football match in Naples, Italy on April 30, 2023. (Str/Xinhua)
Napoli's players celebrate a goal during a Serie A football match between Napoli and Salernitana in Naples, Italy on April 30, 2023. (Str/Xinhua)
Napoli's Mathias Olivera (2nd L) celebrates his goal with his teammates during a Serie A football match between Napoli and Salernitana in Naples, Italy on April 30, 2023. (Str/Xinhua)
Napoli's Stanislav Lobotka (R) vies with Salernitana's Boulaye Dia during a Serie A football match in Naples, Italy on April 30, 2023. (Str/Xinhua)
Napoli's Mathias Olivera (1st L) celebrates his goal during a Serie A football match between Napoli and Salernitana in Naples, Italy on April 30, 2023. (Str/Xinhua)
Napoli's Stanislav Lobotka (front L) vies with Salernitana's Tonny Vilhena during a Serie A football match in Naples, Italy on April 30, 2023. (Str/Xinhua)
